4 women in STEM who made history

Historically in the Western world, STEM fields have been considered ‘men’s work’. It wasn’t until the first and second world wars that women in Australia started to abandon the ‘homemaker’ lifestyle in favour of working in factories, producing munitions, aircrafts, ships and other wartime necessities.

Why does it matter? STEM skills are behind the future of work. From space travel, to climate change solutions, STEM careers and skill-sets are vital for tackling the big problems that face our world today and in the future.

To change the future, sometimes you have to look to the past. Despite the social and cultural expectations of their time, these 4 women have powered through stereotypes to establish themselves as history-making women in STEM. If they could do it, why can’t we?

Here’s 4 STEM women in history that changed the game for today’s women in STEM.